Mogadishu Domestic Service radio (in Somali) — 1115 GMT

(Commentary by Abdi Idris Dualeh)

The Government of the Somali Democratic Republic has declared that the French Government is entirely responsible for the lives lost in its arrogant and aggressive attack at a time when the Somali Government was doing all it could to save the lives of the French children. Our commentary is on this issue:

It is a shock to all peace loving people to hear of an armed attack on civilians, unarmed security men and (word indistinct) country. One does not expect a sensible government to trample on international laws which safeguard human rights and the territorial integrity of nations.

Nevertheless, the French forces stationed in Djibouti launched a daring surprise attack on the Loyada post in the Somali Democratic Republic yesterday, using tanks and mortars. In the attack, a number of civilians and security men lost their lives and the post was destroyed.

The French forces also stormed the bus carrying the French children held hostage at a spot on the border between the two countries, killing the Djibouti freedom fighters and some of the children.

The French forces launched this arrogant and aggressive attack at a time when the Somali Government was making every effort to save the lives of the French children.

As a demonstration of its honesty and goodwill in the matter, the Somali Government ordered its acting consul in Djibouti to mediate between the freedom fighters and the French authorities. It was thanks to the consul’s efforts that the children were left unharmed both before and during the French troops attack on the bus.

Another demonstration of Somali goodwill and the freedom fighters’ compassion was the uninterrupted supply of food to the children.

Moreover, the Somali Government sent a high-level emissary yesterday to mediate on the issue. All this shows that the Somali Government did all it could to resolve the issue, yet the French thought fit to commit this ugly aggression without any excuse.

What is even more surprising is that the French, after killing civilians and unarmed soldiers, violating Somalia’s territorial integrity and recalling their ambassador from Mogadishu, should have the audacity to lodge a complaint against Somalia with the UN Security Council as well as to spread unfounded and provocative propaganda against the Somali Government.

However, this is not really so surprising because it is normal practice for a criminal to spread false reports to cover up his crimes against human rights and international laws.

In any event, Somalia, which has never committed an offence against anyone and safeguards international peace and security, condemns the French Government and holds it responsible for those who lost their lives in its ugly attack, whether Somalis or French, and views the incident as an arrogant and aggressive action against Somalia’s territorial integrity.